FRUSTATED Canberra playmaker Jack Wighton is at a loss for answers to solve the Raiders' costly second half slumps after another fadeout condemned them to a fifth straight loss against Newcastle at Wagga on Saturday.
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The Raiders led 16-0 and looked largely untroubled against a wasteful Newcastle in the first half, but had no answers for the Knights' surge as they piled on 24 unanswered points after the break.
It's become a recurring and infuriating theme for Canberra, who are fast falling out of title contention after a horror day at Equex Centre.
Injuries to Ryan Sutton (elbow), Joe Tapine (medial) and Jordan Rapana (hamstring) only compounded things for Canberra, who are now 3-6 and in tenth spot on the ladder.
Canberra gave up a 24-6 lead to North Queensland at Townsville a fortnight ago and also led South Sydney narrowly at halftime of last week's 34-20 loss.
"It's like a broken record, a team of two halves. It's unbelievable," Wighton said.
"We're all busting our arse and trying hard for each other, we just can't seem to win. Winning is contagious and we can't just get that at the moment.
"We're on a losing streak but we do know we're going to stick together. With 16 rounds to go if we don't stick together it's going to be an extra long season."
The Raiders were guilty of failing to capitalise on chances in the second half which could have deflated the Knights.
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Prop Josh Papalii and Jordan Rapana both kicked early in tackle counts after making breaks downfield, which negated try scoring opportunities.
Asked if it was a mental issue when teams begin to rally after halftime, Wighton said: I can't put my finger on it. That's the way it looks, and that's the way it feels a little bit.
"It's a cycle we've got to break and once we do, we're going to go on a roll I reckon.
"We need to roll the ruck and deflate their middles so we earn the right to shift. We're getting away from the ruck early, losing possession and it's all stuff that's fixable, that's what's so frustrating.
"We've just lost the knack of winning. We were in the same positions (in recent years) but we'd been winning those close ones. We've got to turn it around.
Wighton hinted the team needs to get on the same page at crucial times during games.
"I can only be accountable for myself, you can't control the rest of the team. It's a team game and sometimes I'm thinking one thing and they're doing something different.
"Sometimes we go in different ways, but we'll stick together and go again."
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